LMRC teaches that alcoholism and drug dependency are primary, progressive diseases. They are not a character weakness, psychological dysfunction or manifestation of a moral consequence. When an individual considers addiction a treatable illness, he or she is more likely to embrace the likelihood of lasting, rewarding sobriety. When families are involved in a client’s life, Lakeside-Milam staff educates them about the disease of alcohol or drug misuse while teaching them to support and communicate with an addicted loved one in healthy, productive, non-enabling ways.